MLB Rumors

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly would not reveal who his closer is to reporters. However, the skipper seems to be leaning toward Kenley Jansen over Brandon League in high-stress situations based on recent use, according to MLB.com.

"I know who I want to use. But I don't know if I want to anoint anybody," Mattingly said. "I'd really like to see the bullpen get its confidence back and some semblance of order and get the guys in the roles we designed. I know where I want it to go, it just hasn't gone there. They set the roles the way they are pitching. Now it's hard to say, 'That guy deserves that inning.'"

League has a 5.51 ERA through 16 appearances while Jansen has three losses and has allowed three homers in his last 5 1/3 innings of work.

Brewers starting pitcher Hiram Burgos pitched poorly againTuesday against the Dodgers, but he was able to avoid dropping his third decision in a row.

Burgos exited the game after just 3 1/3 innings, after allowing two runs on six hits and four walks.  He allowed three hits and two walks in the fourth inning before being pulled, with runners on the corners and one out. Fortunately, the bullpen bailed him out, as they did not allow either of his inherited runners to score. The Brewers would go on to win, 5-2, though Burgos earned a no-decision in the start. 

Burgos now has a 6.44 ERA in six starts, with a 1-2 record. He is scheduled to mke his next start Monday against the Twins. 

Dodgers reliever Scott Elbert, who is rehab assignment with Double-A Chattanooga, could be back with the club in a week, according to MLB.com.

Elbert is expected to pitch three times in four days in the minors. His fastball velocity has increased to 90-92 mph during his most recent outings, according to manager Don Mattingly. He has struck out two and allowed one run over two innings of work at Double-A.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes homered in the third inning Tuesday night against Yu Darvish in Texas. It was the only run scored by either team in the 1-0 Oakland win. 

Cespedes homered for the ninth time this season with two outs against Darvish to win it for the A's. He went 1 for 5 in the game with two strikeouts and is batting .211. 

Despite his low batting average, Cespedes has hit in seven of his last 10 games with three homers and four RBI over that span. He has 22 RBI on the year with 22 runs scored. 

Dodgers starting pitcher Josh Beckett,  who is on the 15-day disabled list with a left groin strain, threw off flat ground without discomfort Tuesday for the first time.

Beckett, who was unable to throw on flat ground in Atlanta over the weekend, is making progress and is expected to throw off a mound soon before he's allowed to run, according to MLB.com.

Athletics closer Grant Balfour recorded a 1-2-3 inning for a save Tuesday at Texas. Balfour held down the ninth in a 1-0 victory. 

Balfour earned his ninth save of the season as he struck out one in a perfect frame to protect Dan Straily's gem. He needed just 12 pitches, throwing seven for strikes. 

Balfour has earned saves in three straight and six of seven. He's 9 for 9 in save chances on the year with a solid 1.47 ERA. He's also struck out 20 over 18 1/3. 

The Marlins appeared to have let go of the reigns a bit for starting pitcher Jose Fernandez, but he was apparently back on a pitch count Tuesday against the Phillies.

Despite allowing just one run, Fernandez was pulled after throwing five innings and 79 pitches, matching his lowest total of the season. He allowed just a solo home run in the outing, but earned a no-decision in a 7-3 loss.

Fernandez allowed five hits and one walk, while striking out two batters. This was the first time since April 29 that he has not pitched at least six innings in a start. He lowered his ERA to 3.31 through his first nine career starts.

Fernandez is set to make his net start Monday, against the Rays. He has yet to face Tampa Bay in his career. 

Rangers starter Yu Darvish wasn't at his sharpest Tuesday at home against the Athletics. He may not have been able to avoid losing even if he was. 

Darvish dropped his record to 7-2 on the year with a 2.84 ERA as he took the loss against Oakland's Dan Straily, who pitched seven shutout innings as the bullpen finished the job in the 1-0 game. 

The Texas ace allowed just one run on five hits and three walks over six innings. The lone run he allowed came on a third-inning solo homer by Yoenis Cespedes. Darvish struck out five. 

The 26-year-old won his seventh game his last time out despite giving up four runs. He hasn't had a double-digit strikeout game in a while, but still has 91 on the year over 66 2/3 innings to lead the American League. 

Darvish will look to get back on the winning track when he next takes the ball Monday during a doubleheader at Arizona. 

Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez tested his hamstring running in the outfield prior to Tuesday's game, MLB.com reports.

Ramirez has recently started taking ground balls and hitting, but is still two weeks away from playing, according to manager Don Mattingly. Ramirez had played just four games since returning from the disabled list with a thumb injury. He went 5 for 11 with two doubles, a home run and an RBI before landing on the disabled list again.

Phillies starting pitcher Tyler Cloyd pitched well again in his second start Tuesday against the Marlins, and this time the offense picked him up for a win.

Cloyd held the Marlins to just two runs in seven innings of work, as he allowed eight hits, just two of them for extra-bases. He struck out five and walked just two, while throwing 62 of 105 pitches for strikes.

Cloyd got plenty of run support, after earning a no decision in a 3-2 loss the last time out. The Phillies won, 7-3 Tuesday, giving Cloyd his first win of the season.

Cloyd is set to take on the Red Sox in Boston for his next start, scheduled for Monday.